<div>Age of onset for multiple sclerosis 'linked to distance from equator'</div>

Those further from the equator develop symptoms of MS earlier, study suggests, emphasising link between lack of sunlight and disease’s progression

People living in countries further away from the equator develop symptoms of multiple sclerosis at an earlier age, research suggests.

Both genetic and environmental factors are believed to be to behind the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), with previous work revealing that prevalence of the disease is higher among those living further away from the equator – in other words, in locations with higher latitudes.